“Cultural Trauma: theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, somatic responses” brings together scholars, researchers, artists, and humanitarian aid workers and officials, to offer a comprehensive analysis-and-awareness, fast-track, course to those who are interested on the subject either academically, professionally, or experientially. Cultural Trauma is a condition which occurs when members of a collectivity feel they have been subjected to a horrendous event that leaves indelible marks upon their group consciousness, marking their memories forever and changing their future identity in fundamental and irrevocable ways. Based upon this foundational definition, the Summer School contributes to the topic in four ways.
– First, it brings into analysis subjects such as memory-in-modernity, moral injury and metanoia, the ambivalence of pride-and-shame, redemption as narration, the instrumental use of cultural trauma, trauma as a liminal condition, and the social process from individual experience to collective identity.
– Second, it enriches the analysis of particular cases of cultural trauma related to the recent history of Bosnia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, the US, and Syria.
– Third, it introduces Creative Drama as a somatic way to explore traumatic experiences as a means to personal reflection and collective empowerment.
– And fourth, it brings in contact the students of the summer school with uprooted refugees, turning cultural trauma in an experiential project of building bridges between different cultures and religions.

To apply, please complete the online registration form at the following link: